Sugarcane straw has become available in large quantities in the field due to transition from manual to mechanical harvesting. Straw can be used as fuel for cogeneration systems of sugarcane mills to increase surplus electricity for commercialization. However, the exploitation of straw potential is still limited due to some challenges related to its agricultural recovery and industrial processing. The retrofit (additional installation) of existing sugarcane mills to process straw is an alternative to reduce investment and to allow a gradual utilization of this biomass. In this work, techno-economic and environmental assessment of straw recovery through bale system to increase electricity export was assessed. Two scenarios with straw recovery and processing were defined to take advantage of an existing cogeneration system, considering its operation in the season and off-season periods. An increase of up to 57% on surplus electricity was achieved. Both scenarios resulted in economically feasible alternatives. However, results were very sensitive to the variations on electricity prices and straw costs. In terms of environmental benefits, the bioelectricity presented a great potential to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions compared with natural gas–based electricity. The higher electricity surplus also affects the carbon intensity of ethanol, which can lead to indirect gains when the Brazilian program for biofuels incentive is implemented.

The chemical sector is the fourth largest industry in the European Union (EU) and the second largest chemical producer globally. However, its global share in chemicals sales has declined from 25% two decades ago to around 14% now. The sector, which accounts for 22% of the EU industry's energy demands, faces significant challenges in mitigating climate change, reducing pollution and toxicity, and improving circularity. Biomass, a promising renewable feedstock, currently represents only 3% of the sector's feedstocks. This review explores the opportunities and challenges for a bio‐based chemical sector in the EU, particularly plastics, to improve circularity and contribute to climate neutrality, reduction of pollution and toxicity. It provides an overview of current fossil‐based feedstocks, production processes, country‐specific trends, bio‐based production, and sustainability initiatives. Exploring new feedstocks such as lignin, organic residues, and algae can increase biomass availability toward a circular bioeconomy. Integrating chemicals and plastics production into commercial pulp and power factories, biofuel plants, and the sustainable hydrogen economy could boost the sector. Hydrogen is crucial for reducing biomass's oxygen content. These can ultimately contribute to reduce climate change impacts. Designing novel chemicals and plastics to accommodate biomass's higher oxygen content, reduce toxicity, and enhance biodegradability is essential. However, plastic waste mismanagement cannot be solved by merely replacing fossil feedstocks with biomass. Sustainability initiatives can strengthen and develop a circular bio‐based chemical sector, but better management of bio‐based plastic waste and transparent labeling of bio‐based products are needed. This calls for collaborative efforts among citizens, academia, policymakers, and industry.This article is categorized under: Climate and Environment > Circular Economy Climate and Environment > Net Zero Planning and Decarbonization Emerging Technologies > Materials